By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School football and track star Roger N. Daigle.  Following a long and illustrious career in the military Daigle enjoys wintering in Florida and spending his New England summers on Lake Alexander.

The 17th St. James Memorial Golf Tournament orchestrated by the inimitable Sam Markley was a huge success again this year raising more than $34,000 on behalf of the students at St. James Parochial School in Danielson.

The tournament was held May 28 at Foster Country Club and attracted a full field of 36 foursomes.  Although the weather was a bit on the chilly side the golfers made up for the cool temperatures by consuming a record number of hot dogs, 480 by Markley’s count.

Despite the frigidity, the foursome of James Martin, Justin Cyr, Joey Derrico and John Darigan was red hot, capturing the 2014 top prize of $400 with a score of 15 under par.  The winners outpaced the second place foursome of Scott Waterman, Mike O’Neill, Robert Travis and Chris Marchetti by two strokes.  Third place on matching cards was the group of Mike Panteleakos, Doug Daignault, John Herlihy and Guy Lahaie.

“We came here to win and accomplished our goal.  This is a great tournament and we enjoy the competition every year,” said James Martin, captain of the winning foursome.

The middle of the pack team, which received a monetary award of $400, was Bryan and Andrew Walsh, Adam Shaw and Tony Maslak.  The winner of the Markley Long Drive Contest was Big Al Remekie, while Dennis Smith won the putting contest.  The Lahaie foursome was the winner of the skins contest with Brian Corriveau winning the betting hole competition.  Maslak was the winner of the 50/50 pot.

In typical Markley fashion the tournament honored a number of individuals who have been instrumental in the success of the event.  The Jack Lagarde Award was presented to Gary Arrington; The Father John O’Neill Award went to Dr. Roland Lupien; The Albie Page Award was presented posthumously to the late Bill Sasser and was accepted by his widow Marita Sasser.  The Liz Burke Award was presented to James Martin, while Joey Markley took home the Pastor’s Award and Doug Gagnon was selected the Gertrude Markley Award winner.

Special thanks were accorded to the cadre of volunteers who selflessly give of their time each year.  This year’s volunteers were Mary Lou Desaulnier, Kerri Beaudreault, Jim Kent, Dick Veilleux, Lucille Farrell, Paula Panteleakos, Donna Coderre, Betti Sheldon, Joe Allard, Bob and Gloria Martin, Charlotte Doyle, Julie Desaulnier, Melinda Malboeuf, JoAnn Brown, Diane Charron, Sheila Johnson, Amanda Chenette, Jay Long, Cathy Markley and Rene Barbeau.

Flashback

Former Putnam Clipper track and cross country star Jimi Gothreau is a walking encyclopedia or Google search in today’s jargon when it comes to the history of PHS sports.  Recently we encountered Gothreau and he related this running tale, which dates back to late-May 1974 when Gothreau, then known simply as Jim, was a sophomore at Putnam.

As the saga unfolds it dates back to the days of the former Quinebaug Valley Conference Championship where Gothreau competed in the half-mile (880) event under the watchful eye of the late coach George St. Marie.

The Championship was held at UConn where undefeated Plainfield High School middle-distance ace, Don Fournier duked it out with Gothreau in a highly anticipated rematch.  Earlier in the season, Plainfield junior Fournier had narrowly beaten Gothreau to the tape in a dual meet on the Clipper’s grass track at Murphy Park.  Fournier turned in a time of 2:07.0 to Gothreau’s 2:07.2.

In a stunning 57.3 opening lap by Fournier in the Championship he was overtaken by the pesky Clipper sophomore coming off the final turn of the second lap.  Coming down the final 110-yard homestretch, Gothreau managed to hang on for the Putnam victory in a conference time of 2:02.8, while Fournier was right behind as both runners easily smashed the conference record of 2:05.8.

Although he can’t run as fast as the days when he was a Clipper, Gothreau despite a litany of lingering ailments from thousands of miles pounding the pavement, still manages to compete in as many local events as his aching body allows.

State Baseball Poll

Sporting a gaudy 23-3 record Plainfield has maintained its presence in the Hartford Courant Baseball Ratings.  The Panthers of coach Jason Chaviaras moved up to the #5 spot following a week in which they beat Montville, #9 in the poll, Lyman Memorial and East Lyme before falling in the title game of the Eastern Connecticut Conference Championships against Waterford.  The Lancers at 19-4 are #2 in the rankings.  With victories over Plainville and Granby in the first two rounds of the CIAC Tournament and a quarterfinal victory over #7 seeded Suffield, it appears that Plainfield will remain in the State’s Top Ten next week.     

Lafrancois Redux

A recent story that ran in the Sports section of The Ledger of Lakeland, Florida featured yet another anecdote from the longest game in the history of baseball, which was played at Pawtucket’s McCoy Stadium on April 18, 1981.

If you’re a baseball junkie you know the game went 33 innings when it was finally stopped at 4:10 a.m. on Sunday, April 19 after 32 innings.  The game between the Pawtucker Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles Triple A team from Rochester ended on June 23 when Pawtucket’s Dave Koza drove home Marty Barrett for a 3-2 win.

Jewett City’s Roger LaFrancois caught the final 25 innings for Pawtucket and had two hits in eight at bats.  The catcher for Rochester was Dave Huppert who was 1-11, although his hit, a double in the top of the 21st inning temporarily put the Red Wings ahead 2-1.

Recently LaFrancois, the hitting coach for the Palm Beach Cardinals and Huppert, the manager of the Lakeland Flying Tigers, of the Florida State League, were in opposing dugouts once again in a minor league game at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.  The two swapped stories and reminisced.

“I came into the game late thinking I was only going to catch one inning and the game would be over.  Lo and behold it’s 4:10 in the morning and I’m still catching,” Lafrancois told The Ledger.

“It got to be a joke, it really did.  At one point I told the umpire, “Just call 16 balls and let’s go home,’” said Huppert.

Although neither LaFrancois, 4-for10 in his Boston Red Sox career nor Huppert, 15 games with the Orioles and Brewers and one Major League hit, had all star major league careers, they will always have the memories of that chilly April night in Pawtucket when they became part of baseball history.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” Confucius

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

..

 

Esposito chosen 

ECC April 

Athlete of Month

By Ron P. Coderre

A Plainfield baseball pitcher and Stonington lacrosse player have been selected as the Eastern Connecticut Conference April Athletes of the Month.  The award is presented by the Byrnes Agency of Dayville, Norwich and Woodstock.

Mike Esposito the senior captain of the Plainfield Panthers put together an outstanding month on the mound and with the bat to capture the award.  In his spectacular month Esposito guided his team to an 18-2 overall record and a 9-1 log in the ECC Medium Division.  They finished first in the Division and as the #1 seed in the ECC Tournament.  The Panthers are also ranked #5 in the New Haven Register poll and #9 by the Hartford Courant.

Esposito was terrific at the plate batting .483 for April with four doubles, two home runs, 21 runs-batted-in and 13 runs scored.  As hot as he was at the plate, he was equally impressive on the mound.  In 18 innings he posted a perfect 3-0 record for the month.  His ERA was a tiny 1.17, with 41 strike outs and only nine hits allowed.

In a victory over Stonington, he tossed a one-hitter at the Bears and battered them with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate.  He also posted 15 strike outs in a win over New London.

Esposito has committed to UMass-Boston next year where he will continue his baseball career.

The female athlete of the month was Elizabeth Morrison of Stonington High School.

 

 

Ann Marie Hill

LAKEWAY, Texas — Ann Marie Blackmore (Simmons) Hill of Lakeway, formerly of Pomfret, died April 1, 2014, following a seven- year battle with ovarian cancer. 

Born in 1945, Ann was the first of eight children of Mary and Arthur Blackmore of Pomfret. Her father, Arthur, died 11 days after Ann, on April 12, 2014. 

Ann grew up in Pomfret, and was a 1963 graduate of Putnam Catholic Academy. Following her marriage to Edward Simmons of Putnam, and raising their sons, she earned a bachelor’s degree and two master’s degrees toward a career in health services administration.  Most recently with Cerner Corporation, Ann’s work involved extensive travel throughout the U.S. and internationally; as she trained staff in the use of new healthcare technologies.

Ann was the wife of TV broadcaster Brian Hill of Lakeway, mother to Michael Simmons of Littleton, Colo., and Jason Simmons of Austin, Texas; and step-mother to Leighton Hill of Virginia Beach, Va. She leaves four granddaughters and one grandson; seven siblings and their spouses: Dan Blackmore (Francene), Mary Ragno (Seb), Marguerite Rose (Bob), John Blackmore (Kathy), Judie Blackmore (Mike), Kate McGivern (Jim) and David Blackmore (Jacki). She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and their children and by her former husband Edward Simmons.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. June 13 at the South Cemetery, Pomfret.  Following a graveside service led by Rev. Jonathan Scott, friends are welcomed to join us at the Grill 37, Pomfret. Donations: Nonprofit Hospice Austin http://www.hospiceaustin.org/get-involved/donate/ ; and Ovarian cancer research http://www.ovarian.org/. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

David A. Martin,

U.S. Navy vet

PUTNAM —  David A. Martin, 45, of Putnam, died suddenly May 31, 2014. Born in 1968 in Webster, he was the son of Kathleen E. (Houghton) Martin of Putnam and the late Russell A. Martin.

David was a graduate of the Putnam High School and he served with the U.S. Navy. He leaves behind many fond memories, much laughter, and fun times.

He leaves his mother; a daughter Alicia Martin of Putnam; a brother Russell Martin (Tamie) of Woodstock; a sister Sara Gagnon (William “Bill”) of Thompson; and nieces and nephews Zachary, Katelyn, Patrick, Caroline, and Logan. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents Paul and Elizabeth Houghton and his paternal grandparents Russell and Theresa Martin.

The Mass of Christian Burial was June 7 in St. Mary Church, Putnam, with burial in Calvary Cemetery in Dudley. Donations: St. Jude Children Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis, TN 38105.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Loretta A. Langlois

W. THOMPSON — Loretta A. (Vadnais) Langlois, 91, a long-time resident of W. Thompson, died May 28, 2014, in the Mansfield Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.  She was born March 22, 1923, in Putnam, the daughter of François X. and Yvonne (Delisle) Vadnais.  

Her husband of 61 years, Normand R. Langlois, died in 2011.  

Loretta attended Putnam Catholic Academy, where she played basketball and graduated as salutatorian.  After studying hairdressing in Hartford, she worked as a beautician in Putnam for several years before taking time off to raise a family.  In the 1960s, she returned to work as the head of the cafeteria at her alma mater, Putnam Catholic Academy.  When the school closed in the 1970s, she became head of food services at the nearby Provincial House of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit.  In retirement, she enjoyed driving around the northeast with her husband.  She was a founding member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 10088 in Quinebaug.  She was also an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and, especially, the UConn women’s basketball team.

She leaves three sons: Richard (Deborah Savage) of Columbia, Marc (Craig Mathis) of Rancho Mirage, Calif., and Michael (Elena Langlois) of Winchester, Mass.; two brothers, Francis Vadnais of W. Warwick, .R.I, and John Vadnais of Ravena, N.Y.; five grandchildren: Zachary, 24; Anaïs (Annie), 20; Noah, 18; and twins Christopher and Abigail, 14.

The Mass of Christian Burial was June 2, celebrated by her cousin, The Rev. Laurence A.M. LaPointe, in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with private burial. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Elaine B. Barrie

PLAINFIELD —  Elaine (Brown) Barrie, 71, of Ledgewood Acres, died May 23, 2014, at home. Born in 1942 in Bangor, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Charles W. Brown Jr. and Arlene (Ames) Brown.

Mrs. Barrie worked as a counselor for several local group homes. She was a member of Milestone, and a very active member of the Danielson United Methodist Church.  She volunteered for Hospice, Alcoholics Anonymous, and visited numerous “shut-in’s.”  She really lived each day loving life. 

She leaves her daughter, Pauline Frascone of Plainfield; brother, Charles W. Brown III (Judy) of Midland, Texas; her sister, Cynthia B. Kuder (Everett) of Eping, N.H.; her nephews and nieces, Sean McCloskey, Sharlene Peterson, Jason Kuder, Nathan Kuder, and Mathew Brown.

Visitation is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. June 12 in the United Methodist Church of Danielson on Spring Street with a Funeral Service at 6:30.  Burial will be at noon June 13 in Feeding Hills Cemetery, Agawam, Mass.

 

Mary Brooks

POMFRET — Mary Gilman Curtis Brooks, a resident of Pomfret for the past 17 years, died at Day-Kimball Hospital in Putnam June 4, 2014, from complications from pneumonia.

Born in New York City in 1922, Gil spent many of her years in Bronxville, N.Y., after her parents moved to that suburb. She attended the Bronxville School from kindergarten through the ninth grade, and graduated from the Emma Willard School in Troy, New York in 1940. She received her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from New York University’s Froebel League in 1945 and subsequently taught nursery school at the School of Ethical Culture in New York City and then at the nursery school of Christ Episcopal Church in Bronxville.

Her marriage in 1949 to John Reynolds Brooks of the United States Consular Service took her to Germany and Italy where diplomatic duties, vacation travels to several other countries, and the birth of her daughter made for a busy life. Upon her return to Bronxville after the years abroad, Gil worked as a parish volunteer in a number of Christ Church programs, where her interests and talents in hospitality and cooking found outlets in the Parish Life committee, and as a dedicated Choir Mother to countless choristers involved in the church’s active music ministry. Her skills in needlepoint were also well known, as evidenced by several finely-wrought altar kneeling cushions. During these years, she provided her daughter with a brother, and later started a private gourmet catering service which for years had many satisfied customers in Bronxville, and New York City.

The move to Pomfret in 1997 allowed her more time for her needlework and her gardening and cooking talents, and the pleasures of membership in the local book club; and she continued these activities during the years after she was widowed. 

Her anchor to her Connecticut life was her church. She leaves her daughter, Lila Curtis Brooks; her son, John Winthrop Brooks; sisters Anne Curtis Fredericks and Eleanor Curtis van Hoogstraten; cousin Marian Foster .

A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. June 18 at Christ Episcopal Church, Rt. 169. Donations: Christ Church, PO Box 21, Pomfret, CT 06258; or the Christ Church, 17 Sagamore Road, Bronxville, NY 10708. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Jeannette Camara

DANIELSON — Jeannette Perreault Blanchette Camara, 93, of Westfield Village, Danielson, formerly of Tampa, died June 5, 2014, at Pierce Memorial Baptist Home, Brooklyn, after a short illness. 

Born Aug. 28, 1920, daughter of the late Napolean and Malvina (Provost) Perreault. She was the wife of the late Joseph Camara. He died in 2003. They were married in 1968.  

She was a communicant of St. James Church and was a former member of the Ladies of St. Anne. She enjoyed her arts and crafts. She worked for DANCO as secretary of Production Control Office for 15 years and as a unit secretary for Day Kimball Hospital for 20 years.

She was predeceased by her first husband Peter Blanchette who died in 1966 (they were married in 1951); seven brothers, Omer, Napolean, Henry, Harvey, Louis, Eugene, Arthur Perreault, five sisters Rosalima Perreault, Malvina Cooney, Cora Jacobson, Rita Renaud, Pauline Lambert.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. June 14 in St. James Church, Franklin Street, Danielson, with burial at a later date in Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Fla. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St. Danielson.

 

Martha Kemp

N. WOODSTOCK — Martha F. Kemp, 76, of N. Woodstock, died June 6, 2014, at the Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam. She was the wife of Gordon W. Kemp. They were married Dec. 21, 1955, in Southbridge. 

She was born Oct. 16, 1937, in Dayville, daughter of the late Calvin and Alice (Strickland) Long.  Martha worked for 27 years as an Inspector at S & M Manufacturing in Southbridge.  

She leaves, in addition to her husband, her son Calvin Kemp (Lynette) of Northfield, Vt.; three grandchildren Paul, Daniel and Andrew; siblings Clara, Alice, Clayton and Herbert. She was predeceased by her siblings George, Carolyn and Dorothy. 

Graveside service will be at 2 p.m. June 11 at the North Woodstock Cemetery, Woodstock. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Richard H. Ladd

DAYVILLE — Richard Howard Ladd, formerly of Dayville, husband of Mary Patricia (Crompton) Hicks Ladd, entered peacefully into eternal rest May 30, 2014. 

He leaves his daughter Suzanne (Tommy) Rettig; two sons Marc and John (Mary Ellen) Ladd, step daughter Maureen Hicks, sister Lorraine Wakely, brother Leonard (Lois) Ladd, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, his yellow lab and faithful companion Beau. He was predeceased by his parents, Alice and Clifford Ladd, wife Lucille Ladd and brother-in-law John V. Wakely.

A Memorial Mass will beat 10:30 a.m. June 13 at Our Lady of LaSalette Church,  Providence Road, Brooklyn. Donations: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 300 Research Parkway, Suite 310, Meriden, CT 06450. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Theresa M. Lajoie

N. GROSVENORDALE —  Theresa (Larose) Lajoie, 85, of Main St, died June 5, 2014, in Matulaitis Nursing Home.  She was the wife of the late Philip O. Lajoie for 61 years.  Born in 1929 in Thompson, she was the daughter of the late Adelard and Emma (Dutremble) Larose.

Mrs. Lajoie worked as a weaver for Cluett Peabody.  She was a housekeeper for St. Joseph Church, Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes and several private homes.  She was a long time communicant of St. Joseph Church where she and her husband Philip volunteered countless hours in service to their church.

She leaves her son Raymond P. Lajoie (Danielle) of Putnam; grandchildren Rebecca, Emma, and Matthew; nephews and nieces.  She was predeceased by her sisters, the late Beatrice Larose, and Doris LaBonte.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. June 11 at in St. Joseph Church, 20 Main St., N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Donations: St. Joseph Church, P.O. Box 897, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255.  Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Michael L. Menoche,

U.S. Navy vet

WINDHAM --- Michael Louis Menoche, 80, died May 14, 2014, at St. Joseph Center. 

He was born June 23, 1933, in Hartford, the son of Yvonne and Michael Menoche of Thompson. He spent much of his life in Thompson and was a graduate of Tourtellotte Memorial High School. 

He served in the U.S. Navy in the 1950s aboard an aircraft carrier and at the Naval Air Station in Newfoundland and was discharged from Charleston, S.C.

After military service, he studied music at the New England Conservatory and later became organist at the Thompson Congregational for the next 37 years, retiring in 2003. He loved spending many hours at the keyboards of the large Johnson tracker action organ.

He leaves his cousins Charlotte Merrill and her daughter Effie, Rachel Blomberg and her son Raymond and Mark Pawlowski and his son Paul and daughter Sonda. Michael lived 26 years in Pomfret with his adopted family: Karl, Kirsten, Robert and Lea Schultz.

He will be interred with military honors at CT. State Veterans Cemetery, Bow Lane,  Middletown at 11 a.m. June 27. Services are open to the  public.

 

..